Topic: anxiety-like behaviour

Environmental enrichment can be defined as external stimulation by the physical or social surroundings. Classical and rapid-acting antidepressants have been shown to bind directly to BDNF receptor TrkB to promote neuronal plasticity. Like antidepressants, environmental enrichment has been shown to promote neuronal plasticity in the brain, although the exact mechanisms of action are unknown. Environmental enrichment could thus potentially act as a complementary or alternative non-pharmacological treatment for neuropsychogical disorders. This study investigated the effect of 10 weeks of environm

Subplate neurons are among the earliest generated neurons in the cerebral cortex that orchestrate the development of the intra and extracortical connections. A large proportion of these neurons undergoes cell death throughout postnatal development. The remaining cells form the thin and compact cortical layer 6b (L6b) in murine cortex. The functional aspects of L6b have received little attention compared to the other layers. Recent studies have argued that the extensive intracortical connections and cortico-thalamic-cortical loops of L6b neurons might enable sensory processing to extract salien

Striatum plays an important role in the control of motor functions that are dependent on a balance between striatal dopamine and acetylcholine neuromodulators. The main source of acetylcholine in the striatum are cholinergic interneurons (CINs) which express heteromeric nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) containing beta2 subunit (beta2* nAChRs). Our group has previously shown that the deletion of beta2* nAChRs in CINs leads to behavioural changes in mice and to alterations of Fos expression in the striatum. Therefore, we hypothesize that the beta2 deletion leads to a decrease of CINs'

As one of the main characteristics of adolescence is the increased desire for social interaction and formation of meaningful relationships, it represents a particularly vulnerable period for social stressors. Moreover, social isolation during adolescence can significantly alter brain function and increase the likelihood of anxiety disorders in early adulthood. The aim of this retrospective meta-analysis and prospective behavioural experiment was to investigate whether chronic isolation stress during adolescence causes generalised and social anxiety-like behaviour in rodents. The meta-analysis